to hold close
1
1.4
- phrasal verb
- /hoʊld kloʊs/
:
abrazar
- After a long day, I like to hold my dog close while watching TV.
Examples
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We live and die in the shadows for those we hold close and for those we never meet.
-
The mother held her baby close to protect him from the cold.
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Not just for those we hold close...
-
Someone you hold close will die tonight.
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We live and die in the shadows for those we hold close... and for those we never meet.
-
We live and die in the shadows, for those we hold close and for those we never meet.
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You refuse to sacrifice the ones you hold close.
-
You are His precious little chick that He holds close and keeps safe.
Blog text (28) -
I still hold close what you say to me: "You have to make decisions based on what will make you not feel any regret if the cancer comes back."
Blog text (24) -
She held her friend close, offering comfort during a difficult time.
Synonyms
336
1.0
To hold someone tightly in your arms to show care
240
2.1
To hold on tightly to someone or something and not let go
118
3.4
To hold something tightly with the hands or because of strong feeling
72
1.0
To hold someone tightly in your arms to show affection
61
3.4
To hold tightly to someone or something because of fear, need, affection
42
2.2
Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe
33
2.6
To hold a person or thing tightly with your hands
5
3.2
Pull someone toward yourself to comfort or protect them
Antonyms
How Tight
119
1.6
3
3.9
142
2.8
1
1.4
∞
1.0
30
4.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to hold something or someone firmly and tightly' is directly derivable from combining 'hold' (to take and support) with 'close' (near, snug); in English the pattern 'hold X close' transparently expresses keeping something near and tight. This compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Hold close comes from the simple image of using your arms to hold someone or something close to your chest to keep them safe and not let them go. That's why it means 'to hold something or someone firmly and tightly'.